Coleorton
| Coleorton | |
| Leicestershire | |
|---|---|
 St Mary's, Coleorton | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SK404172 |
| Location: | 52°45’4"N, 1°24’7"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,177 (2011) |
| Post town: | Coalville |
| Postcode: | LE67 |
| Dialling code: | 01530 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | North West Leicestershire |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
North West Leicestershire |
Coleorton is a village in north-western Leicestershire, on the A512 road approximately 2 miles east of Ashby de la Zouch. Nearby villages include Newbold, to the north, Thringstone to the east, and Swannington to the south-east.
This is a modest place still: the 2011 census recorded a parish population of 1,177. It is an ancient place too, long a parish in West Goscote Hundred.
Mines and forest
Coal mining was an important industry in the area from the 15th century.[1] In 1572, the miners worked in gangs of 10-20 men, with the gang paid one shilling for each 'rook' they dug out (the rook was a fixed quantity, believed to be c. 1-2 tons).[2]
Coleorton Colliery, which was between Coleorton and Swannington, is now closed, and a woodland Coleorton Wood was planted in 1991-2 on the colliery site as part of the National Forest.[3] Opencast mining operated between 1985 and 1995.[1]
About the village
Coleorton was the birthplace of William Stenson (1771–1861), founder of Whitwick Colliery and 'Father of Coalville'
The Grade II* listed Coleorton Hall, in the west of the parish, was built in 1804-8 for the art patron Sir George Beaumont. William Wordsworth was a regular and frequent guest of Sir George Beaumont at the Hall. Between 1948 and 1997 the house was owned by the National Coal Board and used as offices, and it has now been converted into apartments.[4][5]
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Coleorton) |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hartley, R. F. (January 2000). "An Archaeological Resource Assessment of Post-Mediæval Leicestershire". East Midlands Archaeological Research Framework Project. University of Leicester. http://www.le.ac.uk/ar/research/projects/eastmidsfw/pdfs/37leicpmed.pdf. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ↑ A History of the County of Leicester - Volume p : {{{2}}} (Victoria County History)
- ↑ "The National Forest - Woodlands - Coleorton Wood". National Forest Company. 2005. http://www.nationalforest.org/visit/index.php?fuseaction=location.showlocation&loc_id=1633. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ↑ Lennox, Marsya (2004-06-18). "Property: Apartments at Coleorton Hall". Birmingham Post. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-95624536.html. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ↑ "Coleorton Hall Garden of Special Historic Interest". North West Leicestershire District Council. http://www.nwleics.gov.uk/development_control/documents/Coleorton_Hall_Garden_of_Special_Historic_Interest.pdf. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
